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Affirmative Action 7 Essay, Research
Paper

Affirmative
Action

Affirmative
action has done a tremendous favor to our country by allowing
opportunities for those who have been historically denied equal
opportunity. Affirmative action was not intended to be a quota
system, but has been abused by administrators–particularly those
who are opposed to it. “Hard quotas are only enforced by legal
findings of discrimination.” (R. Wilkins, p.331-332:6). Affirmative
action was never designed to relieve poverty; however, the
opportunity for professional advancement undeniably provides a better
life style for minorities and women. Despite the positive results of
30 years of affirmative action, it is still under attack by whites
and even by blacks and other minorities–those who would benefit the
most from it. It might need some tweaking or transformation, but
abolishment is not the answer. Some have suggested the program should
shift to a class-based program, but classism and race are already
engraved in this society–I don’t think we can separate that.
Though we would all like to think that America no longer needs
affirmative action; there are at least three reasons that this
well-meaning program should remain public policy.

The first reason
that affirmative action should remain a policy in this country is
racism. Though many white Americans embrace the progress of
minorities and women, many still hold on the old “Jim Crow”
ideologies. One example of racism is the blatant (overt) recruitment
practices by extremist groups such as the “Skin-heads” and the
old “Ku Klux Klan”. These organized racist groups are using new
technology (The Internet) and some of the old tactics (rallies and
terrorism) to pollute the minds of the American youth. Another
example of racism is of the covert variety. This variety uses
demographics to screen potential employees. Since most of our cities
are still segregated by race and/or ethnic neighborhoods, it is very
easy for employers to identify or “weed out” individuals by a
mere address alone. Identities are also obtained from ethnic speech
patterns.

The second
reason affirmative action should remain public policy is based on
simple human nature. One example of this is explained through
sociological research– in that people have a tendency to surround
themselves with those whom they most identify with. This applies to
race, sex, and ethnicity. The presence of affirmative action serves
as a reminder that we as Americans should have “inclusion” or
“cultural diversity” as our goal. This is the only way we will
actually achieve peace and tranquility. Another example of human
nature that hinders equal opportunity is racial ego. “It may be
that we will need affirmative action until most white males are
really ready for a color blind society–that is, when they are ready
to assume the rank of a mere citizen.” (Roger Wilkins, p.340: 44).
In short, white males still have a substantial hold on wealth and
power in this country, which they are not willing to relinquish.

The third reason
that affirmative action should remain public policy is political
denial. One example is a speech by one of our nations leaders, former
Vice President Bob Dole “Let me now forgive us Slavery was before
we were born must future generations continue to pay the price for
ancient wrongs?” (R. Wilkins, p. 344:19). This kind of rhetoric
demonstrates that some white Americans deny that there is still a
racial problem in this country–this attitude suggest that
affirmative action should remain. Another example of a politician in
denial was by House Speaker Newt Gingrich. According to the
Washington Post “Gingrich dismissed the argument that the
beneficiaries of affirmative action (blacks), have been subjected to
discrimination for centuries and that the Irish were discriminated by
the English.” (R. Wilkins, p. 335:23). Given the nature of these
denials from our leaders, minorities are still subject to
discrimination. “People who forget the mistakes of the past are
destined to repeat those mistakes in the future”. (unknown famous
quote).

In my opinion,
it would be a grave mistake to abolish the affirmative action
program. The attitude by politicians, racists, and plain old human
nature provides solid reasons why affirmative action should remain
public policy–maybe forever.

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